Out of the morass of modern music rises Sleeping at Last’s newest, "Keep No Score," the phoenix from the proverbial ashes, restoring my faith in the arts & the industry.
It is a blessed occasion that challenges a writer's vocabulary, for words like great, outstanding, and unique fail to capture its true powers. Prepare for me to get all descriptive on you.
Singer/songwriter Ryan O'Neal, his brother/drummer Chad, and bassist Dan Perdue made lemonade when they were dropped by Interscope, choosing to instead self-produce the stunning, gorgeous "Keep No Score." They were given free reign to create their own sound, no holds barred. The result is an album of 12 sweeping, cinematic tracks that never falter in their quest to display the grandeur of their vision, eight of which feature Susan Voelz's lush string sections.
The aptly named opener, "Tension & Thrill," immediately introduces Sleeping's signature ambient pop/rock style: immaculate arrangements, soaring vocals, and meticulous lyrics that conjure up word pictures matched only by the majestic soundscapes. The orchestral splendor of "Careful Hands" makes your throat ache even before you hear its esoteric lyrics. Whether you completely comprehend their meaning or not, the lump in the back of your throat lets you know something special is taking place. Beauty does not always originate in the mind, but is sometimes captured by the soul. Sleeping at Last goes after both, as the delicately acoustic "Needle & Thread" makes clear. I particularly loved the crescendo of the last tender chorus.
The electric guitar makes one of only a few appearances, on the thickly textured "Envelopes," then it's off to standout track, the plaintive "Hold Still," which Ryan O'Neal completely tears up with those expressive, wailing vocals. His ability to convey the deep emotions of these songs is uncanny and irresistible. My favorite track is next, the compelling "Heaven Breaks." Its splashy percussion and stunning images tap a deep place within the soul, making you yearn for the Place which it describes, and its work in your heart. "Levels of Light" dazzles with its energetic celebration of the spiritual process. Sleeping at Last manages to broach the deepest spiritual issues without coyness or invasiveness. Their mesmerizing music contains great longing, intense enough to touch the soul of any listener, demonstrating once again the power of beauty to transcend words.
The richly layered "Quicksand" is more flawless magic, and "Umbrellas" has to be one of the year's best love songs. Absent of any of the usual ho hum pop tricks, it strikes me rather as the perfect wedding song, full of hope, commitment, and passion. "Sing to Me" contains the pristine lyric: "I will sing to you as if my chest is glass." That one line stopped me in my tracks for long minutes, and it is one of many that affected me powerfully. The vocals of "Dreamlife" are nothing short of stunning, and the laments of the closing title track haunted me long after the album stopped playing.
If you like your music to reach down your throat and grab your heart, you'll love the breath-taking "Keep No Score." If you're willing to take one step out of your usual musical comfort zone, make it this captivating project from Sleeping at Last. It just might change your mind.
